In many states, the kids are starting to collect everything they need for this upcoming school year. This means one thing. It is time to take a vacation for yourself! You and your significant other can load them up on the bus as you load your car and leave the check up list for the babysitter. When you get on your vacation without the kids sometimes you have to wonder what to do with all you free time. The answer is simple. Sit back, relax and enjoy the sea breeze. Head to the beach, reserve a LOUNGE CHAIR for the week and let it all go as our attendants take care of you while you do nothing. When you are ready for an ADVENTURE, you can give us a call or talk with your beach attendant and let them sign you up for a day out on Shell Island, a romantic eco-tour for two or a fast pace jetski tour around our slice of paradise. Regardless of what you choose to do we will be there to help you along the way. Not sure of where to eat while you’re here? Our beach team will help you with that. You may be looking for the best places to eat, things to do and where the nightlife is while you’re visiting us and we will have all the answer for you. So, don’t get back into the swing of things just yet. Let the kids head to school and take one more vacation just for you!
Category: Water Sports
What to bring on your vacation!
As the summer rolls around and the kids are let out for the summer vacations are being booked and the planning has begun. Many are in such a rush to get to the beach that they forget to pack the essentials for their trip. Here are our suggestions for what you should bring along on your vacation:
The Basics:
- Sleepwear
- Rain Jackets, yes it does rain in paradise as well some days
- Flip Flops!
- T-shirts and tank tops
- A set of nice clothes if you plan to go out in style
- Bathing suit
- Sunglasses
- Cell phone Chargers
- Travel Speakers to sit back and enjoy a good tune while on the beach
- Most importantly SUNSCREEN!
Toiletry Bag Basics:
- Toothbrush and toothbrush
- Hair brush/Comb
- Deodorant
- Shampoo and Conditioner. You don’t always want to use the hotels provided hair care
- Aloe, for skin care and to help with those beach day burns
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Contacts, Contact Solutions and contact cases
- Prescription medication. Don’t forget. Don’t mix prescriptions, drinks and the sun. It can lead to a bad time!
Save space for your trip!:
- Purchase food and drinks for your trip when you get here. The Walmart on vacation isn’t going to be any more expensive than your Walmart at home.
- Pillows and blankets. Most hotels and resorts provide your bedding for you. But don’t forget your favorite pillow from home!
- Kids toys. Most toys are going to be lost in the sand. Leave the kiddos favorites at home and stop by the dollar stores to grab beach toys for them that you don’t mind losing or throwing away at the end of your vacation.
There’s always things that you need to make sure you pack and some things that you can just pick up when you get to your destination. All in all, just have fun and enjoy your vacation!
What are they looking for?
As the summer season come into play, more and more families are visiting the beautiful shores of Panama City Beach. Families are always out having fun while on vacation, going on adventures, eating out at some of our top restaurants and all around enjoying their time together away from the hustle and bustle of home. As the sun sets into the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and the stars come out so does one thing that everyone is always asking about. The flashlights! One of the main questions that we are always getting from customers and visitors are “What are they looking for?”. Sand Crabs are your answer! Sand Crabs are usually only out at night and they are ghostly white and can only be spotted with flashlights. They are quick little creatures as well. Once you spot them, they take off and scurry into their tunnels they have dug into the sand and will stay there until they think the coast is clear. The families find it fun to walk along the shores and look for our salty friends and the only way they can find them is by bringing along their flashlights. So, there’s the answer to your question! Next time you see a family walking along the beach at night with a flashlight and someone ask you that question, give them the answer and hey, grab yourself a light and join them in the search!
Jeep Jam
Hey everybody! Jeep Beach Jam is here and it is a beautiful week in Panama City Beach. As you drive around cruising in your Jeep, make sure you stop by and see us at our marina and do a little cruising on a boat with us! Don’t forget, we are always around to make sure that your vacation is top notch. We are always offering adventures for the whole family and relaxation on the beach as you leave the troubles behind at the office.
Panama City Beach Jet Ski Riding 101
Panama City Beach is the perfect location to enjoy a variety of watersports. The crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico provide ample room to travel fast or slow. One of the best ways to travel across the water and still enjoy a close-up view of the water and its inhabitants is on a jet ski. But before you go onto the water, there are some things you should know.
First, if you were born after January 1, 1988, you’ll need a boating safety education identification card and a photo ID to operate a jet ski in Florida waters. If you need to get your boating safety ID, you can take the safety test at our marina. You’ll also need to be 16 years of age to drive one of Aquatic Adventures’ jet skis.
Next, your jet ski isn’t foolproof. If you are going to go for a jet ski ride, you’ll need to wear a life jacket. You should also know the basics of how to keep your head above water in the event of an emergency. If you aren’t comfortable swimming or treading water, then you may want to choose a different watercraft for your Panama City Beach adventures.
You should also be aware that jet skis aren’t exempt from the laws of physics. The rule that an object in motion will stay in motion is true of these machines just as it is for land crafts. Your jet ski will keep moving even if all power is cut off. But, without power you’ll lose your ability to steer your jet ski. This means that if you lose power while in motion, you craft will keep going in whatever direction it was facing when the engine was turned off. It will take your jet ski some time and distance to come to a full stop. You’ll need to plan for this extra distance when moving toward another vessel or bringing your jet ski in for a shore or dock landing.
Speaking of cutting your jet ski’s engine, you will save yourself a lot of hassles if you always remember to use a lanyard. Your lanyard attaches to you and the jet ski’s key. If you fall off the vehicle the key comes with you, cutting off the engine. Yes, the jet ski will coast for a bit, but having the craft travel a short distance away from you before stopping is far better than having it speed a mile up the coast!
Also, we know speed is fun. Riding a jet ski can be thrilling. But while you’re enjoying your ride remember—gravity hurts. Your ability to control your jet ski ends when it leaves the surface of the water. Don’t try to jump your vehicle using the wake of boats or other devices. Once in the air, your jet ski could tip over and come down on top you or someone else. Trust us; you can have plenty of fun on your jet ski without trying any dangerous stunts.
While riding your jet ski, remember that there are a lot of other people out there. Keep an eye out for other water craft and remember you’ll need time and distance to steer clear of them. A good rule of thumb it to keep at least 100 feet between you and other vessels. Watch out for swimmers and divers, too. Hopefully, anyone who is diving will put out a buoy to warn you of their presence. But watch out for other signs that divers are nearby, just in case. Avoid riding your jet ski close to popular diving spots or diving tour boats.
Finally, be kind to our aquatic friends. Dolphins, rays, sea turtles, and other sea creatures may approach your vessel when you’re stopped or cruising slowly. Or they may be headed at cross directions with you. Try to avoid collisions—neither you nor the sea creature wants to meet by accident! Besides, if you keep a close look out, you’ll have the pleasure of seeing these amazing animals in their natural habitat. How cool is that?
Riding a jet ski can be a fast, exhilarating ride across the water, but it can also be a slow cruise to some amazing places. When you rent a jet ski and chart your own course, you can experience both jet ski adventures. Take some time to enjoy the scenery. Then, speed things up and experience the spray in your face and the wind in your hair. Either way, you’ll love it!
For your convenience, Aquatic Adventures has jet skis available for rent near most of the major resorts along the Panama City Beach gulf coast. Just choose your location and pick up your machine. Don’t forget your boater safety card and photo ID if you’ll be doing the driving. Our jet skis can hold up to 400 lbs. each so you can share the ride. Now, grab your family or friends and plan your jet ski adventure today!
Fall in Love with Panama City Beach’s Natural Attractions
Looking for a fun fall excursion? Panama City Beach has lots of exciting things to do indoors and out. We have dance clubs and live music performances, theme parks, and water sports. But Panama City Beach isn’t all about fast engines and lights and music. Did you know that the area surrounding Panama City Beach is also home to some amazing natural attractions?
Area nature preserves, rivers, and lakes offer you a chance to discover Florida’s wild side. In fact, two of the most beautiful and unusual natural habitats that Florida has to offer are within a short drive (or boat ride) of Panama City Beach. So if you’re ready to get up close and personal with nature, make plans to visit these two great natural attractions when you visit us here in Panama City Beach!
Find Florida’s Largest Coastal Dune Lake at Camp Helen State Park
Among the rarest ecosystems in Florida—and the world—are the coastal dune lakes. These freshwater lakes are found only along saltwater coastlines. It is the merger of freshwater and saltwater habitats that makes these areas so unique. One of the largest coastal dune lakes in the world is Powell Lake. This lake is part of Camp Helen State Park, located just north of Panama City Beach. Coastal dune lakes can only be found along the Florida coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and the coasts of Madagascar, Australia and New Zealand.
Along with seeing one of the only habitats of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, visitors to Camp Helen State Park can also enjoy birding, fishing, hiking, and viewing the areas unique wildlife.
See a Pristine Preserve on Shell Island
Even though it is popular with tourists, Shell Island has been left in a completely natural state. There are no restrooms, trash containers, picnic tables, or buildings on Shell Island. So when you visit, plan to take what you need with you. You’ll also need to take everything you bring to Shell Island away with you when you leave. What Shell Island lacks in modern convenience, it makes up for in natural beauty.
Along the shores of Shell Island you can expect to see ghost crabs and shore birds. You may also see manatees and rays in the clear shallow waters offshore. Dolphins sometime play nearby as well. Shell Island is surrounded by grass beds that serve as a nursery for many marine species. Horseshoe crabs, sea stars, sand dollars, and horse conch all call this habitat their home.
There aren’t as many sea shells to be found on Shell Island as there used to be. But shelling along the beach can still be fun. Especially after a storm, you may find conch shells and sand dollars. It is important to note that collecting both the horse conch and the sand dollar live is illegal. So leave any live creatures you find in their homes. While you’re looking for shells in the shallow waters you may also find urchins and other marine surprises.
Set Sail to Make Your Own Discoveries
Camp Helen State Park and Powell Lake are north of Panama City Beach, just a quick drive up US Hwy 98W. St. Andrews State Park and Shell Island are located south of Panama City Beach. You can reach St. Andrews by land, but Shell Island can only be reached by sea. To get there, you can rent a pontoon boat. With a full day rental you’ll have plenty of time to explore the hidden jetties and inlets of St. Andrew Bay and the Grand Lagoon.
If you’d like a guide for your journey, you can book a wave runner tour or boat cruise. Freshwater and deep sea fishing excursions are available, too. Just tell the staff of Adventures at Sea where you’d like to go and let them guide you there and back safely.
Wherever you decide to explore, we know you’ll have a wonder time discovering the natural beauty around Panama City Beach.
Reel ‘Em In! Where to Find the Best Fishing in Panama City Beach
The Gulf of Mexico is a sport fisherman’s paradise. The waters of Florida’s gulf coast are teeming with different fish species. Some of the best fishing can be found in the area around Panama City Beach. Anglers near our shores regularly pull in king mackerel, blues, redfish, flounder, pompano hardtail, and cobia. Our waters have whiting, dolphin, red snapper, ladyfish, and flounder, too.
The further you go into the gulf, the more varieties you’ll find. Swordfish, tuna, and even shark may grab your line in the deep waters. Some gulf coast species may be caught without limit, but a few have daily bag limits or other restrictions. Daily catches will vary depending on your location and season.
If you’ve been dreaming of a fabulous fishing vacation, fall is a great time of year to hit the gulf. The summer crowds are gone and the coast is open for business. So pack your bag and get ready to reel ‘em in with a fishing trip at Panama City Beach!
Find the Best Fishing in Panama City Beach
To help plan your trip, here’s a guide to some of the best places to bag your catch.
Sitting on the docks of St. Andrews Bay
St. Andrews State Park has two fishing piers, one on the gulf and the other on the Grand Lagoon. Fishing from these piers is included in the cost of park admission. Fish that you may catch near the Grand Lagoon include gag grouper, scamp grouper, bonito, trout, flounder, blackfin tuna, vermillion and white snappers, and sheepshead.
Pier fishing in Panama City Beach
In Panama City Beach, anglers have access to three gulf side piers and one pier extending into the Grand Lagoon. Two concrete piers, referred to as the City Pier and County Pier each extend 1,500 feet from shore. These amazing piers allow anglers of all ages to reach far into the Gulf of Mexico to try their luck. A one-day fishing license can be purchased for pier fishing. Spectators pay a lower fee to watch the action. Your daily catch from the pier may include ladyfish, trout, black drum, Spanish mackerel, and redfish.
Rent a pontoon and go where the fish are biting
The shallow waters in the bay and around Shell Island are great for fishing. You can rent a pontoon from Adventures at Sea and take your gear to where the fish are biting. What you catch will depend on where you go. But you’ll be guaranteed to see lots of wonderful marine life while you’re out.
Our boats can carry up to twelve passengers and your pet is welcome aboard. Just remember, pets may not be allowed on shore where you make landing. If you rent your own boat, you’ll need a fishing license. Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission online before you visit to obtain yours.
Deep water fishing in the Gulf of Mexico
For an epic fishing adventure, take a charter cruise out to the deep waters of the gulf. An Adventures at Sea chartered fishing cruise offers you comfort and convenience. Each boat has an air conditioned cabin and full galley so your party has a place to relax and enjoy the cruise. Meanwhile, on deck, our boats are fully equipped to help you reel in your big catch. Each charter fishing package includes the licenses, bait, and tackle you need for a great excursion. Plus, our expert crew and captain know where to find the best fishing spots.
Our chartered fishing boats can carry up to twenty passengers. Excursions can last from four hours to twelve hours, depending on your goals. For a four to six hour tour, you’ll be fishing along the coast and in the bay. For longer trips, your captain will set sail for the gulf and into deeper waters.
As with any other fishing trip, the fish you can expect to catch will depend on where you drop your line. But seasoned anglers report bites from wahoo, marlin, dolphins, tuna, sailfish, and amberjack.
Get Ready for Your Fabulous Fishing Trip
Want to know exactly what you can catch? Florida law regulates fishing along Florida’s gulf shore and inlets. Fishing for certain species are prohibited during some parts of the year. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission publishes this handy chart to help you keep track of when and what fish you can catch in Florida’s waters. Once you’re further out to sea, federal law sets the rules.
When you’re ready to get started, just give us a call. We’ll help you choose your date and the best tour to suit your needs. Whether you want to set out on your own pontoon or book a full deep-sea cruise, we’ll make sure you have your best fishing expedition ever!
Spend Your Holidays In Panama City Beach
While Florida is a popular destination for college students during spring break, and northerners trying to escape the endless gray of February in New England, not everyone thinks of spending their holidays in Panama City Beach. If you’re planning a December vacation, however, there are several fun family friendly trips that you can organize on the water and beaches on Florida’s Emerald Coast.
What’s the weather like during Panama City Beach holidays?
Florida’s weather is mild and comfortable year-round. In December, we generally see temperatures in the mid to high 60s, and tend to see a mix of sunny days and clouds. While this Isn’t exactly weather where you want to stretch out on the sand and work on your tan, there’s still plenty of fun to be had on the water.
Boat trips for everyone!
Many customers continue to enjoy our boat trips throughout the winter weather. From a cruise out to Shell Island to visiting the places where dolphins love to play, you can take your kids out on a nature adventure and enjoy the gorgeous weather at the same time. If your kids are older, have them talk to their teachers about whether they can write a report for extra credit on the experience!
Florida weather is mild all year round, especially if you’re used to the more frigid winters up north. In December, air temperatures tend to be in the mid-60s, and days vary between overcast and sunny.
Is the water warm enough for snorkeling or a WaveRunner tour?
It depends. Surface water temperatures tend to be in the mid to high 60s, even around the holidays in Panama City Beach, but there are many different factors that can cause that temperature to drop. If we’ve had several days of off-shore winds or heavy rain, that can cause the water temperature to be lower than comfortable.
If you’re not sure whether or not you’ll be comfortable in the water, give us a call! We’ve been doing this for years, and can give you some good guidance on whether or not we’d recommend a wetsuit, and what sort is likely to keep you warm and comfortable without overheating.
Ultimately, off the coast of Florida, activities like surfing, exploring the area on WaveRunners, and snorkeling in gorgeous areas like St. Andrew’s Park are year round activities. As long as you’re safe and comfortable, we’ll make sure you get where you’re going!
Fish for your holiday dinner!
Not a fan of the typical turkey or ham dinner for Christmas? What about trying your own fresh caught fish?
If you want to do something truly different while you celebrate the holiday season in Panama City Beach, schedule a charter fishing trip with us. Unlike some other fishing destinations, the Gulf means that there are excellent fish to catch year round. Our captains are very familiar with the area; we carry all the right bait and tackle to make sure that you get the fish you’re looking for.
Once you’ve got your catch, we love to recommend cooking tips, if you’re going to tackle the task on your own, or our favorite local restaurants that specialize in cooking fresh caught fish.
If you’re looking for a fresh way to create great memories this holiday season, or one in the future, consider enjoying some new experiences on Florida’s Emerald Coast. When you spend your holidays in Panama City Beach, you get great pictures, excellent memories—and a story you’ll tell for years to come.
There’s Fun To Be Had With A Jet Ski Tour
If you’re visiting Florida, or looking for a way to entertain visitors from out of town, you might have considered a Jet Ski rental. After all, Jet Skis and WaveRunners are a fantastic way to get close to the water while enjoying the wild rush of the salt spray in your face and the feeling of skipping over the waves. But after you’ve raced around a few times, what else is there really to do on a Jet Ski?
With one of our Jet Ski tours, we can answer that question!
Sunset Cruise
If you’re looking for a romantic tete-a-tete after your water play, a sunset cruise is always an option. Though we often do this tour on a boat, if being a little closer to water is more your style, then we can arrange to take you and your someone out on a Jet Ski tour to see the sunset. The way the setting sun seems to light the water on fire is unbelievable; photographs can’t capture it. If you’re here in the Emerald Coast, we recommend that you see it for yourself.
Dolphin Tours
If you’ve never seen wild dolphins playing in the water, you won’t believe how incredibly beautiful and inspirational the vision is. While you’re exploring Florida’s Gulf Coast, take time to go on a jet ski tour to visit the wild dolphin schools that live in the area. You’ll get to see them play, splashing through the water and waves; if you’re lucky, they might even come up to the Jet Skis to say hello.
Because these are wild dolphins, not the trained in captivity dolphins you see at the different Panama City Beach water attractions, we can’t guarantee that they’ll be where we expect them to be, but our tour leaders have been doing this for a number of years, and know the places they’re likely to find dolphins. We almost never come back to shore without seeing these beautiful sea animals up close.
Gorgeous Snorkeling
If you like to snorkel, Panama City Beach is the best place to be. St. Andrews State Park is considered one of the best places to snorkel in the Gulf Coast. If the goal of your WaveRunner tour or Jet Ski tour is to end up at somewhere where the snorkeling is amazing, let us know; we love to show people the natural beauty of the area. We’ll show you the most amazing snorkeling locations, where you can see the natural wildlife on Florida’s sea floor—and we’ll make sure that getting there is an exciting ride on your Jet Ski rental.
Visit Shell Island
One of the few untouched and undeveloped spaces left in Florida, no visit to the Emerald Coast is complete without a trip to Shell Island. Remember that the island isn’t equipped with restaurants, bathrooms, or trash cans, so you need to take out what you bring in, but that helps to support the beautiful natural environment, and keep it beautiful for generations to come. Pack a picnic lunch in the waterproof compartment of our WaveRunner, and then enjoy it on the beach of Shell Island.
There’s a lot more fun to a WaveRunner or Jet Ski tour than just splashing through the waves and racing your friends—although that’s definitely fun too! Schedule your trip today and make sure that you tell us all the awesome things you want to achieve; we’ll help you fit them all in!
See dolphins play on your sunset boat tour
Have you ever seen the sunset while dolphins play in the surf? Toured the natural beauty of Shell Island, one of the few Florida landscapes that remains undeveloped and untouched? Put your head back and relaxed as the waves splash around you, and someone else worries about the steering?
When you visit Adventures At Sea, all of these are on the table.
Many visitors to Panama City Beach book their boat tour hoping to see dolphins at play in their natural environment. Although most of us know dolphins from their TV appearances and starring roles at aquatic attractions, few have had the luck and privilege of seeing dolphins in their natural environment. Dolphins splashing through a sunset surf is something you absolutely have to see in your life, if you can.
Sunset cruises are a romantic way to get out on the water on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Whether you’re thinking about a pontoon boat or a sailboat, we can help you create the perfect trip.
Four reasons to schedule a boat tour to see dolphins, the sunset, and so much more:
Someone else does all the work
When you book a boat tour with us, we take care of all the irritating parts of a boat trip. We navigate, steer, watch out for other boaters and water hazards, and make sure that everything goes smoothly.
You sit back and relax
Whatever that looks like for you. You can put your feet up and watch the water flow by, read a book, take video, or visit with the friends and family here with you. This is your trip; enjoy it in the best possible way for you!
We take you where you want to go
From Shell Island to dolphin locations, from fishing spots to gorgeous views on the sunset, we make sure that you get where you want to go without any worry about how to read a chart, or which areas you might need to avoid. We’re the experts on water around the Gulf Coast of Florida; we’ll take care of it.
You focus on your vacation, not navigation
If what you want to do is rent a boat and take the wheel yourself, we’re happy to make that happen for you. But if you want the chance to kick back and focus on relaxation, on taking great photographs that will make everyone at home jealous, and on reconnecting with the friends and family who’ve made your trip with you, then what you should do is schedule a boat tour for your visit. We can take you fishing, find you a secluded, private, and safe space to do some snorkeling, or help you find where dolphins are playing.
If you have a romantic plan in mind, we can take you somewhere where you can ask an important question as the setting sun sets the water on fire. If you’re traveling with your kids, we can find a quiet place where they can watch the beauty of the sunset without disturbing other boaters or beachgoers.
Our goal at Adventures At Sea is to make your boat tour as enjoyable and exciting as possible. Whatever you want to see or do on the water, we’re here to make it happen. If you’ve never seen dolphins playing in sunset waters, or enjoyed the bird’s eye view of wildlife that snorkeling gives you, or cut through the waves with just the wind at your back, it’s something you should experience.
Let us make your vacation one to remember.